Episode 1176 – Coaching Skeptic to Success Story: Claire’s Game-Changing Shift - Part 2
Stop Living Groundhog Day in Your Business
In this second part of the podcast, Claire and Mike dive into what held her back in her cleaning business for 11 years. Claire got stuck in the daily grind, so much so that she barely thought about long-term goals or the future of her business. She admits she spent years repeating the same cycle and wasting time. Her advice? Stop focusing just on the day-to-day and start thinking bigger. If you’re not planning for the future, you’ll look back in 11 years and realize you’ve been spinning your wheels. The result? Little growth and wasted time.
The Hidden Cost of Inaction
Mike jumps in with a reminder about the human tendency to ignore the cost of doing nothing. We’re great at calculating the price of taking action, but terrible at seeing the price of staying stuck. Mike compares it to how no one talked about the secondary costs of COVID lockdowns, like mental health and financial strain. Similarly, in business, we need to ask, “What will it cost me if I don’t change?” Claire’s story proves that the cost of staying in the status quo is often way higher than we think.
Getting Your Numbers Right
One of Claire’s biggest changes was finally getting a grip on her numbers. She realized her business wasn’t profitable, and she had no idea why. By breaking down costs—like labor, travel, and team care—she discovered some clients were costing her more than they brought in. Getting clear on the numbers helped Claire restructure her pricing, take care of her team, and focus on serving the right clients. If you’re not making a profit, look at your numbers. They might tell you more than you expect.
Stop Being the Bottleneck
Another game-changer for Claire was restructuring her team. She realized she had created bottlenecks by having her assistant manager take on too many roles. By breaking down tasks into smaller, more focused roles, she gave her team more autonomy. This not only freed up Claire’s time but also gave her team a sense of ownership and purpose. If you’re trying to do everything yourself, you’re probably slowing your team down.
Know Your Value, Protect Your Time
Claire’s final lesson was understanding the value of her time. She realized she was spending hours on tasks that didn’t grow her business, essentially “stealing” jobs from others. By identifying what was CEO-level work and what could be delegated, Claire freed herself to focus on the big picture. She stresses the importance of protecting your time and hiring the right people to handle the rest. It’s not just about working hard—it’s about working smart.